40 inventive principles, the most popular component of TRIZ innovation system

Submitted by Atanu Chaudhuri on Tue, 21/01/2014 - 19:54

The 40 TRIZ principles are ­abstract inventive principles identified by Russian scientist Genrich Altshuller as the principles behind all of the past inventions. He concluded that new innovations will also be based on these principles only. By deep study of 200000 patents, Altshulller arrived at this momentous result. These principles form the core component of innovation system TRIZ.

Altschuller identified the principles when living in a mechanized era that changed subsequently to an idea-centric era where the Internet based virtual experiences reign supreme. Accordingly there is a need of massive reinterpretations of these valuable set of inventive principles.

A number of such interpretations appeared subsequently, but it is apparent that these ideas will continue to evolve.

On our part, we recognize the power of the abstract principles, but our objective is not creating an invention, rather we focus on using any idea in solving real world daily life problems efficiently at minimal cost. As a first step, the description and examples may encourage you to find your own examples and finally use of one or other such principles in actual solving of problems in your life.

40 inventive principles of TRIZ

Principle 1: Segmentation:

Description: Divide an object into parts or sections of similar nature to increase the value of the product.

Examples: garden sprinkler; segmenting full meal to smaller meals for weight reduction; divide a market into segments and carry out segment analysis to optimize marketing efforts.

Principle 38 : Accelerated oxidation:

Examples: Breathing mask in airplanes; Increase lactobacillus fermentation in curd making by keeping it warm.

Principle 39 : Inert atmosphere:

Description: Replace a normal environment with an inert one.

Example: Reply calmly in a heated discussion.

Principle 40: Composite materials:

Description: Change from uniform to composite (multiple) materials. It is different from merging principle. In merging same type of materials or objects are merged whereas in composite different types of materials are suitably put together.

Examples: Unbreakable multi-layer toughened glass; Hamburger.

It takes time to absorb the essence of these abstract principles. To assimilate and use these, you have to go through the description and examples of each principle. You may also refer to various other interpretations of these valuable principles from the Internet.

Try to understand what a principle means and then try to find out from your environment clear application of one or more than one of these 40 inventive principles.

If you identify a new application of any of these principles in your environment yourself, your absorption of the principle will be better and quicker - you would acquire a belief in the value of the principle.

Remember, these principles are not only valuable for innovative idea generation, but also very useful in real life problem solving. We are sure to refer to these principles time and again.